West Coast coach Adam Simpson has declared there's simply no excuses for Friday night's 63-point loss to Sydney, saying the club's underdone stars weren't to blame for the embarrassing defeat.
The Swans raced out to a 56-0 lead midway through the second quarter at Optus Stadium before cruising to the 18.13 (121) to 9.4 (58) win.
West Coast rolled the dice by bringing back Jamie Cripps (pectoral), Elliot Yeo (calf), Tim Kelly (hamstring), and Luke Shuey (protocols) all in one hit.
Yeo and Cripps have been sidelined since the pre-season, while Shuey and Kelly hadn't played since the round two loss to North Melbourne.
Shuey worked hard for 18 possessions and seven clearances, but Kelly's output (16 disposals, three clearances) was clearly down.
Yeo (15 disposals, two clearances) looked rusty, and he underwent a concussion test in the first quarter after copping a knock to the head.
The midfield bull also spent stints in defence as the club attempts to build up his match fitness.
Cripps booted a late goal to go with his 11 disposals after being starved of supply.
Simpson said there were simply "no excuses" for the way Sydney was allowed to blow his team off the park.
"We are working on our identity ... the way we want to play, and tonight you saw nothing of it," Simpson said.
"But success is not a straight arrow. There's going to be some ups and downs. We need to learn from it.
"But by no means are we accepting what happened tonight as a growth opportunity. It was disappointing.
"Our industry doesn't wait for anyone. So if we don't start winning, we won't be a chance of playing finals. I get that."
Simpson said he had little choice but to recall midfield trio Shuey, Kelly, and Yeo all at once given the club's injury-ravaged list.
"They're three of our best players. We need to get them going," he said.
"Of course they will be (better for the run).
"You can't point the finger at those three.
"I think we've got to take the whole 22 plus the coaches on this one.
"We'll own it together, we've got their backs, we know they're good players, we know we're better than what we produced tonight."
Defender Jeremy McGovern is a chance to return from the health and safety protocols next week, while Andrew Gaff (ankle) will also push his case for a recall.
Sydney ended Friday's match with 11 separate goalkickers, with the wide spread helping offset the absences of Lance Franklin and Tom Papley.
"Boys who have come in, (James) Bell or (Ben) Ronke or Logan (McDonald) were able to do some good jobs and the other boys were able to keep their form going," Swans coach John Longmire said.
